Verstappen and Rossi Take on 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Finale in Portimão

Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi, icons from the worlds of Formula 1 and MotoGP respectively, found themselves on the same grid this weekend as the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe wrapped up at Portimão in Portugal.

Verstappen's team, featuring Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham, started the race from 15th position. Barnicoat and Lulham managed to push the team into the top 10, hinting at a possible podium finish. However, a penalty during Lulham’s stint saw their Mercedes-AMG GT3 drop to 24th just as Verstappen took over. The Dutchman was further hampered by a Safety Car period, but once racing resumed, he demonstrated why he's a four-time F1 World Champion. In a display of skill and determination, Verstappen climbed back through the field to finish an impressive ninth.

Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi had less fortune. Competing with Team WRT, Rossi aimed to compete alongside Verstappen but was thwarted by a track limits penalty during qualifying, which left his team languishing in 60th out of 61 on the grid. On race day, despite their efforts, Rossi's BMW M4 GT3 finished in 50th position out of 52 finishers.

The event garnered significant attention, largely thanks to Verstappen's participation, with GT World Challenge Europe reporting a record 9.7 million views of the live stream on YouTube and 28,000 spectators attending in person. As for Portimão, it is set to host F1 again in 2027, following a recently confirmed two-year agreement.